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Special Council Meeting August 22, 2024 Page 2 Tiny Freelen, 804-12"' N.E. — he spoke in support of a COLA for retirees. Bob Hundley, 130 CR 40300, Powderly — he spoke in support of a COLA for retirees. He echoed Chief Salter, in that hardly any officer that went to other local agencies wasn't hired and trained by the Paris Police Department. He also said giving a COLA to retirees would help retain police officers. Stephen "Red" Holmes — 146 CR 43600 — he spoke in support of a COLA for retirees. 4. Discuss and provide direction on the FY 2024-2025 budget for the City of Paris. Interim City Manager Rob Vine said he and Mr. Anderson had met with all of the Council Members and his understanding was that each Council Member wanted to increase police salaries, give a credit service for current employees, and give a COLA to retired employees. Mr. Vine also said that Ms. Harris had cut $15,000.00 from her budget, and that $10,000.00 of that had been allocated to lot mowing with the other $5,000.00 going back into the general fund. Council Member Putnam inquired about staffing for EMS and the Fire Department. Chief McMonigle said they were fully staffed. She asked about the overtime of $55,000.00. Chief McMonigle said this was needed when he had a couple of people out for injury or sickness. Council Member Norment asked about the County and EMS Service. Chief McMonigle said the City had a contract with the County for running EMS in the County. Mayor Pankaj said they needed to allocate funds for a Strategic Plan. Council Member Putnam suggested they slow down with regard to the COLA because they had almost another year to consider it, and the cost was $1.1 million dollars. Mayor Pankaj asked why the COLA for retirees stopped in 2018, and Mr. Anderson said it was a budget issue. Council Member Kessel asked about the updated service credit. Mr. Anderson explained most cities had updated service credits and when Paris had it in the past, it was at 100% but what was before them was at 50%. Council Member Kessel inquired if the health insurance came in at the same price would they take away the extra $25.00 stipend for insurance or would it go back in the general fund. Mr. Anderson said employees could use it toward an HRA. Council Member Putnam said she would like to cut the OT budget for the Fire Department and transfer it to Public Works. Mr. Vine cautioned against doing so because if someone was sick or hurt, the Fire Department would go over budget. Council Member Moore said she did not agree with taking the overtime away from the Fire Department. Next, Mr. Vine reviewed the two positions in which reclassification was budgeted. Mayor Pankaj asked what Council wanted to do with regard to a salary increase for the police. Council Member Norment recommended $70,000.00. She asked Chief Salter what was the national standard of staffing for a patrol shift and Chief Salter said he was not aware of the national standard but the Paris Police Department was supposed to have ten officers on each patrol shift and they had staffing for only four police officers for each patrol shift. Chief Salter said the departments previously listed as comparison was not Paris' competition and must have been an old list. He emphasized Paris' competition was the County, the four local school districts and some regional competition between Paris and Dallas. Council Member Putnam said it was important to close that pay gap and she was in favor of $70,000.00. Council Member